Nick's One Month Out Mock Draft (4/13 Edition)

I decided to include trades in this mock; I'm happy to clarify what I think the terms of these trades are if someone wants to see a specific one, but I figure there's really only one we're interested in here.

You can see the Rams gained the Falcons' second rounder this year as part of moving down. Assume they gained a future pick as well; I didn't want to include set terms and have that be the focal point of discussions rather than the mock itself.

As always, discussion and constructive criticism is welcome and encouraged!

ROUND ONE
1. Houston Texans: Jadeveon Clowney, DE/LB, South Carolina
-The Texans could very well talk themselves into a quarterback when it's all said and done, but they may find it tough to pass on the best player in this class in favor of a less than fantastic passer.

**TRADE**

2. Atlanta Falcons (f/STL): Khalil Mack, LB, Buffalo
-The first trade of the day has the Atlanta Falcons working familiar phonelines to move up and grab a pass rusher. Despite Clowney being off the board, the Falcons should still be interested in Mack to play OLB in their 3-4 looks.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Blake Bortles, QB, UCF
-Jacksonville could consider Sammy Watkins here, but they'll snatch up the best QB prospect in the draft after Houston passed on him. Bortles won't be rushed on the field with Henne returning, and should stabilize that position for them.

**TRADE**

4. Detroit Lions (f/CLE): Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson
-The trade winds are blowing hard as the Lions make an aggressive move, giving up a future first round pick to move up and take Sammy Watkins out of Clemson. The Lions hope that, by pairing Watkins with Megatron, they'll have a post-season caliber offense.

5. Oakland Raiders: Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn
-The Raiders would have considered Bortles had he made it here, but with Blake off the board, Oakland goes against stererotype and takes the best player available, adding Greg Robinson to their offensive line.

6. St. Louis Rams (f/ATL): Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M
-The Rams moved down and still end up getting an elite prospect from this class, and one that Jeff Fisher is very familiar with. Matthews could start the year at left guard or right tackle before eventually replacing Jake Long as this franchise's premiere protector.

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M
-Tampa could opt to move down with a team wanting to add the second best offensive weapon in this class, or they could just take Evans themselves. They could certainly benefit from having him opposite Vincent Jackson.

**TRADE**

8. Tennessee Titans (f/BUF): Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State
-A surprise trade up by the Tennessee Titans, hoping to replenish some cornerback talent on their defense and wanting to jump in front of Buffalo and Cleveland in case they're looking for DB help themselves.

9. Buffalo Bills: Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina
-Buffalo adds the North Carolina stud tight end Eric Ebron with the intention of giving young signal-caller E.J. Manual some more offensive weapons to help advance his development.

10. Cleveland Browns (f/DET): Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan
-The Browns are in a great spot! They moved down, and still only one quarterback has gone off the board... but they pass! Instead, they take Michigan's Lewan to pair at right tackle with Joe Thomas on the left side, securing the perimeter of their line.

11. Minnesota Vikings (f/TEN): Anthony Barr, LB, UCLA
-The Vikings will likely be working the phone to move up to get Khalil Mack, but I'm not sure Mack makes it out of the Top Three. So instead, Minnesota moves down a few spots and still gets a quality pass rushing outside linebacker in Barr.

12. New York Giants: Aaron Donald, DT, Pittsburgh
-The Giants lost Linval Joseph in free agency to the Vikings, so they need to find another talented interior lineman to pair with aging veteran Cullen Jenkins. Donald would be a Top 10 lock if he was taller.

13. St. Louis Rams: Hasean Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama
-The Rams have a huge hole at free safety, and Clinton-Dix is a legitimate Top 10-15 prospect in this class as a center fielding defender who can also be physical closer to the line of scrimmage. Gregg Williams just unleashed the confetti.

**TRADE**

14. New York Jets (f/STL): Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State
-The Bears would have loved to see Donald or Clinton-Dix fall to them, but since neither did, they orchestrate a trade down with a Jets team looking for talent at the cornerback position.

15. Pittsburgh Steelers: Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech
-Pittsburgh was robbed out of picking Dennard, but they'll turn to the next best corner on the board in Kyle Fuller, whom some think is pushing Dennard to be the second corner off the board.

16. Dallas Cowboys (f/MIA): Kony Ealy, DE, Missouri
-Tough decision for the Cowboys. Do you take a falling Manziel and make his dream come true, or do you do something that improves your team in the here and now? Dallas would be a circus with Manziel on the bench behind Romo, so Jerry Jones goes with Ealy.

**TRADE**

17. Green Bay Packers: C.J. Mosley, LB, Alabama
-Is it a trade up for a QB? No! The Packers move up with the Ravens and take Mosley of Alabama to become an enforcing ILB in their 3-4 scheme, knowing the talent at the position on the second day of the draft might be lacking.

18. Chicago Bears (f/NYJ): Timmy Jernigan, DT, Florida State
-Chicago opted to move down a few spots, and is still able to find a capable defensive tackle for the interior of their defense. Jernigan is coming from a championship organization and will hope to help the Bears achieve similar post-season success.

19. Miami Dolphins (f/DAL): Zack Martin, OT, Notre Dame
-The Dolphins could explore a trade up for Taylor Lewan if the Michigan star slips within range, but Notre Dame's Zack Martin is a worthy Plan B for a Miami organization in desperate need of offensive line help.

20. Arizona Cardinals: Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville
-The Cardinals thought Green Bay was moving up to take Louisville safety Calvin Pryor, and are pleasantly surprised to see him on the board. He joins a capable secondary of Patrick Peterson and the Honey Badger.

21. Baltimore Ravens (f/GB): Marqise Lee, WR, USC
-The Ravens could be a contender to move up for Mike Evans, but knowing how much it will cost them, they instead move down in a deep draft and take USC's Lee to help shore up the weapons around Joe Flacco.

22. Philadelphia Eagles: Dee Ford, LB, Auburn
-The Eagles could consider a replacement for DeSean Jackson here, but is Chip Kelly confident enough that his system can work with lesser talent? The Eagles really need a pass rusher, so they go Ford here.

23. Kansas City Chiefs: Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State
-With Cooks making it by the Eagles, the Chiefs are quick to strike. Their next best receiver after Dwayne Bowe is Donnie Avery, with Dexter McCluster leaving for Tennessee.

**TRADE**

24. Oakland Raiders (f/CIN): Derek Carr, QB, Fresno State
-The Raiders strike quickly to move back into the first round - ahead of the QB-needy Browns - to grab Derek Carr, who has some upward momentum and could hear his name called earlier than this when it's all said and done.

26. Cleveland Browns (f/IND): Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M
-The Browns remain at 26 and end up selecting Johnny Football himself, the quarterback whom they've been rumored to be enamored with before they even had a head coach in place.

27. New Orleans Saints: Odell Beckham, WR, LSU
-The Saints could opt for a defensive back, but I think they'd love to get Drew Brees some more weapons, and who better than LSU's own Odell Beckham?

28. Carolina Panthers: Jason Verrett, CB, TCU
-If the Panthers were sold on an offensive tackle prospect with this pick, they may go that direction. But the value right now is at cornerback, where they have needs after losing Captain Munnerlyn.

**TRADE**

29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (f/NE): Ryan Shazier, LB, Ohio State
-The Patriots are always looking to move down, and Tampa needs a new Mike linebacker for their Tampa 2 scheme. I think within that system, Shazier could be a force in the middle.

30. San Francisco *****: Allen Robinson, WR, Penn State
-The ***** resigned Anquan Boldin but need to start planning for how they're going to replenish their offense once he's gone. Robinson has been compared to Boldin, even going so far as running a 4.6 at the Combine.

31. Denver Broncos: Xavier Su'a-Filo, OG, UCLA
-The Broncos lost Zane Beadles in free agency, which wasn't a big blow but represents a spot where the Broncos could upgrade and further help out their quarterback.

32. Seattle Seahawks: Morgan Moses, OT, Virginia
-Breno Giacomini (who?) left in free agency for the Jets, meaning the Seahawks have a hole at right tackle. Morgan Moses would be a big upgrade on the right side of their line.

ROUND TWO
33. Houston Texans: Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville
-Great situation for the Texans, who end up drafting two players whom some have ranked in the Top 10 of this class.

**TRADE**

34. Jacksonville Jaguars: Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida State
-The Jaguars could use more weapons on offense, and may find it tempting to jump the Browns to take one here.

**TRADE**

35. Buffalo Bills (f/CLE): Jimmie Ward, S, Northern Illinois
-With Jacksonville leapfrogging them for a receiver, the Browns trade out of this spot, allowing the Bills to move up and get Jarius Byrd's replacement.

36. Cincinnati Bengals (f/OAK): Bradley Roby, CB, Ohio State
-After trading out of the first round, the Bengals find better value at the cornerback position here with Roby.

**TRADE**

37. New York Giants (f/STL): Scott Crichton, DE, Oregon State
-The Rams move out of the pick they gained by the Falcons, so that the Giants can come up and continue to rebuild their defensive line, adding a pass rusher opposite JPP.

38. New England Patriots (f/TB): Joel Bitonio, OL, Nevada
-New England has potential needs at guard and center, making the versatile Joel Bitonio a great selection for them if he's still available.

39. Washington Redskins (f/JAX): Cyrus Kouandjio, OT, Alabama
-After trading down with Jacksonville, the Redskins grab Cyrus Kouandjio as an upgrade over Tyler Polumbus at right tackle with the potential to move inside to guard.

42. Philadelphia Eagles (f/TEN): Marcus Roberson, CB, Florida
-The Eagles see the ranks of the cornerback are thinning, so they move up to grab one of the best remaining on the board in Roberson.

43. St. Louis Rams (f/NYG): Stephon Tuitt, DL, Notre Dame
-The Rams brought Tuitt in on a visit, and if they liked what they saw, they could grab him as a future partner with Michael Brockers at defensive tackle.

44. St. Louis Rams: Jordan Matthews, WR, Vanderbilt
-With back to back picks, the Rams add a weapon for Sam Bradford in Matthews, who finished at Vanderbilt as the most productive pass catcher in SEC history.

45. Cleveland Browns: Gabe Jackson, OG, Mississippi State
-Knowing they need to protect their new pint-sized quaretrback, the Browns go back to the OL well and grab Gabe Jackson to upgrade either of their guard spots.

46. Pittsburgh Steelers: RaShede Hageman, DL, Minnesota
-The Steelers have a need for a five technique defensive lineman, and Hageman is very good value at this point in the draft.

**TRADE**

47. Arizona Cardinals (f/DAL): Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, Eastern Illinois
-The Cardinals move up to grab a signal caller they can groom under Carson Palmer in Jimmy Garoppolo, an FCS product with a quick delivery and good anticipation in the passing game.

48. Baltimore Ravens: Terrence Brooks, S, Florida State
-The Ravens moved down earlier to get their receiver; now they need to find a safety to pair Matt Elam with. Brooks is a perfect compliment.

49. New York Jets: Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE, Washington
-Seferian-Jenkins has all the tools you look for in a top tight end prospect, and could become a great offensive weapon for a young quarterback like Geno Smith.

50. Miami Dolphins: Dakota Dozier, OG, Furman
-The Dolphins continue to address their offensive line, this time by taking the top rated guard on their board in Furman's Dakota Dozier.

51. Chicago Bears: Deone Bucannon, S, Washington State
-The Bears missed out on a safety in the first round, so you can guarantee they'll be looking for one on the second day of the draft. Bucannon is the best available.

**TRADE**

52. San Diego Chargers (f/DAL): Jeremiah Attaochu, LB, Georgia Tech
-The Cowboys trade down again, giving the Chargers an opportunity to move up and take the pass rusher they've needed for years.

53. Green Bay Packers: Weston Richburg, C, Colorado State
-Evan Dietrich-Smith was allowed to walk in free agency, leaving J.C. Tretter as the potential starter if the season began today. Richburg is a big upgrade in the middle of that line.

54. Tennessee Titans: Kyle Van Noy, LB, BYU
-The Titans moved up to boost their secondary in the first round, and are happy to see a capable edge rusher for their new 3-4 defense available here.

55. Cincinnati Bengals: Demarcus Lawrence, DE, Boise State
-Michael Johnson left in free agency, and the Bengals aren't sure what they have in Margus Hunt. Lawrence could be a beast for them off the edge.

56. San Francisco (f/KC): Keith McGill, CB, Utah
-Twice a year, San Francisco sees the value of big cornerbacks when they face Seattle. In McGill, they add one of their own.

57. Dallas Cowboys (f/ARI): Dominique Easley, DT, Florida
-The Cowboys are done trading down and have decided on Dominique Easley, a penetrating three technique tackle perfect for their defensive scheme.

58. New Orleans Saints: Lamarcus Joyner, DB, Florida State
-Joyner gives the Saints an intriguing movable piece on defense, as he could fill the role of a nickel corner or third safety on the field in sub packages.

59. Indianapolis Colts: Marcus Martin, OL, USC
-The Colts finally have a pick! They grab USC's Martin, who could improve their personnel either at offensive guard or center.

60. Carolina Panthers: JaWuan James, OT, Tennessee
-The Panthers find their tackle in James, a mainstay at right tackle for the Tennessee Volunteers but could project best to the left side in the pros.

**TRADE**

61. Atlanta Falcons (f/SF): Carlos Hyde, RB, Ohio State
-The Falcons trade up from the third round to get Steven Jackson's heir apparent in Hyde, not expecting him to last this long into the second round.

62. New England Patriots: Will Sutton, DT, Arizona State
-The Patriots grab Arizona State's Sutton here in the second round, hoping the two-time Pac-12 DPoY can add some youth and quickness to an aging interior line.

**TRADE**

63. Minnesota Vikings (f/DEN): Kareem Martin, DE, North Carolina
-The Vikings move back in the second round to grab North Carolina's Kareem Martin, knowing they need to improve their personnel at defensive end after losing Jared Allen.

3.75: Phillip Desir, CB, Lindenwood
-Desir has great length and explosion as a defender, with a knack for finding the ball in the air. Could be the kind of taller CB that NFL teams are looking for.

4.110: Charles Sim, RB, West Virginia
-Don't call me a homer for adding another Mountaineer to this roster. Sims is a great all around package at the RB position and has some of the best hands in this RB class. Would be a nice compliment to Stacy.

5.153: Russell Bodine, OL, North Carolina
-Bodine played mostly center at NC but could also shift over to guard. He was a top performer at the Combine with 42 reps on the bench, and could refine his technical weaknesses under Boudreau.

6.188: David Fales, QB, San Jose State
-If Fales is available here, he'd be a fine developmental third Qb with potential as a back-up. He's considered to have great intangibles and would be a great fit learning behind Sam.

6.214: Brandon Dixon, CB, Northwest Missouri State
-Dixon is an athletic Division II player with potential as a press corner at the next level. You can never have too many DBs, and I don't see any reason why Dixon couldn't compete to be the 4th or 5th corner on this roster.

7.226: Kasim Edebali, LB, Boston College
-I listed Edebali as a linebacker, but he's kind of a 'tweener. High effort German-born player; worth a late round shot to see if Gregg Williams could mold him into a situational SAM blitzer.

7.241: Zachariah Kerr, DT, Delaware
-Thick with long arms, Kerr should earn a spot on the roster as a situational run defender and gap plugger. Imagine putting him next to Brockers on short yardage run downs.

7.249: Tyler Starr, LB, South Dakota
-The 2013 Missouri Valley Football Conference Defensive Player of the Year garnered some Combine attention with top marks in agility drills, and could develop into a role player under a coaching staff that can refine his technique.

Re: Nick's One Month Out Mock Draft (4/13 Edition)

Very nice! Grabbed what I think is the ideal 1st round by the Rams. Also with as many picks as we have I think it's extremely likely the Rams will take 3 or more OL and DB. Not sure about the 2 DT taken I'd almost rather stay put and take Bitonio, though that's local bias. But as usual I like your drafts and would be happy if this was the final result.

Re: Nick's One Month Out Mock Draft (4/13 Edition)

Good stuff Nick, appreciate the work that’s gone into it. I think we’d have to be happy if it played out like this but I’ve a preference for drafting a QB earlier than the sixth.
I’d like to see one drafted no later than the fourth, hopefully earlier, because if things don’t work out right for Sam this year that pick could well be the starter next season.

Re: Nick's One Month Out Mock Draft (4/13 Edition)

Originally Posted by Mikey

Very nice! Grabbed what I think is the ideal 1st round by the Rams. Also with as many picks as we have I think it's extremely likely the Rams will take 3 or more OL and DB. Not sure about the 2 DT taken I'd almost rather stay put and take Bitonio, though that's local bias. But as usual I like your drafts and would be happy if this was the final result.

Thanks, I appreciate the feedback! I think Bitonio would be a very good second day option as a potential interior OL. The question is whether he makes it to the Rams' pick. In this case, he went right after the pick they got from the Falcons, so he was a possibility. I don't know if they'll go OL twice in the first two rounds, though.

Originally Posted by SWFCRAM

Good stuff Nick, appreciate the work thatís gone into it. I think weíd have to be happy if it played out like this but Iíve a preference for drafting a QB earlier than the sixth.
Iíd like to see one drafted no later than the fourth, hopefully earlier, because if things donít work out right for Sam this year that pick could well be the starter next season.

Good thoughts on the QB situation. I guess my thought process is this - if you're the Rams and you're confident in Sam being your guy, then you'd be drafting someone to be a back-up. In this mock, you'd be getting starters in the first and second round, possibly the third as well. Do you pass on the CB for a QB there? Maybe you pass on Sims, but the WVU homer in me thinks he's going to be worth it at the next level. But I can appreciate the desire to get a QB earlier. Maybe a guy like Murray in the third?

Originally Posted by kman

idont know about the later rounds, but I definatley can see the 1st round scenario happening..Matthews and Dix

Thanks, I don't think I broke any new ground with those selections but that's probably because a lot of prognosticators think those picks make a lot of sense for this team. And I think you're right, I can see them happening as well. Matthews as the OL that Fisher may prefer, and Clinton-Dix as the necessary center fielding safety that Williams needs in order to justify tighter coverage by his corners at the LOS.

Re: Nick's One Month Out Mock Draft (4/13 Edition)

I counted 12 players drafted... Is that allot to you Nick? Not sure we draft that many, and I like A.J. more than Murray if we draft a QB in the 3rd round. Of course that is if he lasts till then! Like others alluded to I could be happy with this haul though and will be fun to see how we end up in this draft. So many great possiabilities, it kinda boggles me mind to contemplate at times. You did allot of work as was pointed out and I appreciate your efforts there! Go Rams, so much more exciting with this regime' running the show than some of our older one's from the past. I did not have much faithe in many of them. These guys: Les, Fish & Dems they really are amazing as a team of exec's!

Re: Nick's One Month Out Mock Draft (4/13 Edition)

Originally Posted by Randart

I counted 12 players drafted... Is that allot to you Nick?

It is. The Rams aren't able to trade the compensatory picks, but they could package some of their other picks to move up in the event that someone fell. I could see them packaging some Day Three picks to move up in the fourth round after having a night to sleep on it and seeing who has lasted until then. Or they could use some of that ammo to shift around in Rounds 2-3 as well. They have some versatility.